any recommendations on a good jig rod. I have been using a 6 or 6 1/2 foot rod which I gather is much too short to properly mend the line. I think that may be one of my issues is that my presentation may not be natural and the fish are picking up on that. I am looking for something that is around a hundred bucks or less. I know there are a lot of good quality rods that are way above that price but with four kids to feed no way I can swing one of those. I was looking at the Fenwick HMX 105 XL-2. It is 10" 6" and will handle a 2 to 10 pound line and 1/16 to 3/4 weight.

That sounds like a nice fenwick and they make great rods. Here is another one you can check out!

http://www.fishusa.com/Berkley-Select-Air-SalmonSteelhead-Spinning-Rods_p.html

Anything 9'6" or longer with a 4-8lb or 6-12lb rating will work well! Good luck.

i agree with hollywood! go with something 9-10 feet. the combo you listed is a good one in my opinion. but then again, im partial to going light anyways.

Find someone to wrap you a rainshadow float rod. Something 9'6"-12' in the 4-10 through 6-12 pound range should serve you nicley.